Outdoor bowling alley



July 11, 1961 c. Y. FERRIS, JR

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 16, 1958 Cyrus X-ZWQJK BY P04 Jx fl July 11, 1961 c. Y. FERRIS, JR

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1958 INVENTOR. Cyrus X Ferr/s,Jr.

July 11, 1961 c. Y. FERRIS, JR

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1958 N 2. M X @E w I w \w 9. E. 5

om S. \2 EM mu 2 01 ww w- I 3 July 11, 1961 c. Y. FERRIS, JR 2,992,001

OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY Filed Oct. 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 13.

I02 84 I06) we ll! /H0 108-- 24 94 FIG. l5.

INVENTOR. Cyrus )(Ferris, Jr..

United States I Patent 2,992,001 OUTDOOR BOWLING ALLEY Cyrus Y. Ferris, Jr., Barre, Vt., assignor to Rock of Ages Corporation, Barre, Vt., a corporation of Vermont Filed Oct. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 767,621 Claims. (Cl. 273-51) This invention relates to a construction for an outdoor bowling alley and in particular relates to an outdoor bowling alley made of granite.

Outdoor bowling alleys have been constructed in the past of either wood or concrete. The outdoor bowling alleys surfaced in wood have been plagued with warping and buckling by virtue of the exposure of the wood to the elements and this has resulted in a surface that was entirely too rough and hence unsatisfactory for any degree of enjoyable competition. Also, no satisfactory manner of compensating for the expansion and contraction at each of the joints along the surface of the alley has been devised.

The outdoor bowling alleys surfaced with concrete, on the other hand, have proven to be unsatisfactory primarily because of the relatively high temperature coefficient of linear expansion of the concrete which produces cracks in the surface with fluctuations in temperature. Exposure to wind and rain also makes it very difficult to obtain and maintain a smooth surface on such an outdoor bowling alley. Also, the cement surface tends to have an abrasive effect on the plastic balls which are used.

It has been discovered according to the present invention that by making the bowling surface from two slabs of granite in a construction providing for expansion only at the ends of the granite slabs these problems may be obviated. Furthermore, this invention includes a novel bulfer to be used in connection with the permanent installation on the granite bowling alley. It has been found that if the surface is not buffed it will have an abrasive effect on the plastic balls which are used. Moreover, it has been discovered that this bulling must be performed at the site of the permanent installations because the heat generated in the bufiing operation causes some slight vitrification of the granite slabs which in the course of of shipping results in small surface cracks which will not withstand the pounding and rolling of the bowling ball. Means are also provided to establish and maintain the granite slabs level so that the alleys shall not be adversely affected by ground settling, buckling produced by frost or. other factors causing elevation changes in the ground. 7 Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an outdoor bowling alley that will not be adversely alfected by changes in temperature, wind, rain, and the elements. It is another object of the present invention to provide an outdoor bowling alley that may be maintained in a smooth and level condition. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel means for maintaining the bowling alleys smooth. It is an additional object of the invention to provide means for compensating for ground settling or swelling.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and claims and appended. drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 discloses a plan view of the outdoor bowling alley of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 1;

Patented July 11, 1961 FIGURE 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing the manner in which the central joint is established;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of FIGURE 7;-

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view'taken along the lines 9--9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation and cross-section of a modified form of the central joint;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view showing the means for jacking the alleys; I

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary side view showing the jacking means and the means for establishing the modified central joint of FIGURE '10;

the lines-H of FIGURE 1;

allFIGURE 13 is a plan view of a buffer for the bowling eys; FIGURE 14 is a side elevation of the butter of FIG- URE 13; and

FIGURE 15 is an end view of the bufier of FIG- URE 13. v

Referring now to FIGURE '1 of the drawings, an 'approach to the bowling alley is shown at 20. Granite slabs 22 and 24 are placed on a concrete foundation indicated generally at 28. The slabs 22 and 24 are aligned and in substantially abutting relationship so as to form a joint 26. The juncture between the bowling alley approach 20 and the first slab 22 is indicated at 30. A pit 32 is shown at the far end of the alley remote from the approach 20. V FIGURES 2 through 6 disclose some of the details of the concrete foundation 28 and the manner in which it supports the granite slabs 22, 24 and the approach 20. Wall-like legs 40 are adapted to extend downwardly into the earth. A footing or flanged portion 34 is disposed at the base of each leg 40 which legs extend about the entire periphery of the alley so as to completely encircle the foundation. A shoulder 36, shown in FIGURE 3, engages three sides of the approach end 20. Referring to FIGURE 4 there is seen a shoulder 42 which engages the sides of the slabs 22 and 24 and is somewhat lower than the shoulder 36 at the approach end 20. Referring a grout or other suitable mortar 38 is placed between the concrete foundation 28 and the granite slab 22, 24 and the approach 20.

It will be apparent that FIGURES 1-6 show .a bowling alley without gutters, ball return, pin spotters and other standard equipment and it is to be expressly understood that such standard accessories form no part of the present invention. These accessories may be purchased from a bowling equipment manufacturer, such as the Brunswick Balke Collender Company. a L f Reference is now made to FIGURES 7-9 which show the manner of establishing a preferred type of joint be tween the slabs 22 and'24. A pair of angle plates designated generally at 48 is placed on each side of the slabs 22, 24 so as to straddle the'joint 26. Each angle plate 48 is shown to comprise a leg 50 which contactsthe sides of the granite slabs and a leg 52 which is at right angles to the sides of the granite slabs. A pin 54 is shown to extend through a bore in each leg 50 and into the adjacent granite slab. A threaded stud 56 passes through a bore in each of the legs 52 and each stud 56 is placed under tension by tightening a pair of nuts 58. A rigid plate 62, preferably of steel, underlies the granite slabs 22 and 24 on a horizontally disposed pol:

,7 1 3 tiop gfii the foundation 28 in the region adjacent the joint 26.

A plurality of rigid pins ,60, preferably of steel, extend 921 -.fl ea etefismida i a th iadiv Bore holes in the rigid plate-62 -intet11 snaaersiae of gtanite sl b zand i As is seen in FIGURE 9, meteor-er flie in 60 which'extehd's into the' granite slab i s encapsulated with a plastic sealing material '64 dc'iniposfilfia of metal so that, when hardenedy it is substantial apableof xpansion and 'contractionso that the joint remaiiis rigid. 1 Tliefioint 26 is tapered from the top surfaceof the granite slabs 22 and 24 down to the rigid "plate 62 so that the .top surfacest of. the'granite slabs abut one another while there is asli'gh t space at the meeting'edges otj heibdtt m. urfaces t e s abs-,, A u ab calking material similarto that used in connection with pin 50 i s d-i h s snare, nd e s n in hefi s tl u riteiti s aslamrine a h ah'i maintained until the talking niaterial in the jornt; and theplasticfrn'aterial surrounding the ends of each pin60 has had an opto harden. "thereafter, the clamping action is discon u and the means usedto provide the clampin'g'actionisdisassembledandremoved. j v j: r

p A modified form of joint 26 is shown in FIGURE 10. In'this embodiment a s tepis p rovided in each of the granite slabs. Vertically cut sections are shown at 74 in eahof th'e slabs in an oifsetrelationship. Tapered cut surfaces 76 are provided in each slab opposite the re:

spctive vert'ieally cut sections 74"so that a pair of tapered joint spaces are formed as in the manner describedin connection-with the 'e'mbodiment'of the invention illustrated in. FIGURES 1+9. :In this manner a horizontal step portion 78 is provided on which isplaced a' shim 72 7 .tocbmpensate for minor changes in elevation.

FIGURES l1 and 12 show the means'to establish and maintain the granite slabs 22 and 2 4 level. A plurality of jacks 6 a rep embedded in the foundation and are equally-spaced beneath the marginal edge portions of the grani e sla milk V v. sli ht mpd sd. la pin m ans i hb n i IG- IJRB. 12 92m? m d fi d rm j 591 1. d c b t wrest to .HGURBlQ. In th kla n m ans. are! a sns i a 4 a e an boli he a sbfy aise- 9f 29 h ex dia s h ani e ab sanders 1 b lasts 1 the e her s de, nbt sh n- A pl ra it offb blts 70 pass through these angle plates and are placed nd? m y mass, 7. a, r, fR s is ii w'mdd ofl U is 3- 5. wh sh schose a novel buffer to be Lused in connection the p rmanent installationof the outdoor bowling alleyito provide a sheets surface on the granite slabs. The granite slabs" are received at the permanent inst-allation with a commercial saw cut finish so to; prevent any 'r'face vitrification of the granite slabs which could pro- 1 small cracks in the granite slabs during the course shipping] Asmara surface is provided for the granite by ailbvel bi lfir vvhich will now be deseribcd.

buffer 'is provided with a framegenerallydndicited at82 to which a motor 8 4 is mounted. This meter may be operated from any convenient source of electric power. horizontal pivot member'86 has a verticalshaft 90 journaledtherein opposite the frame member 82. Shaft 90 is provided a universal joint 92 to which is attached-"a butfing disc 94 approximately three feet in dioameter A handle 9 6 is pivotally attached to the horizontal pivot member 86 M98. A pulley 102 is mounted ontlie motor-sh'aftland drives another pulley 100 by ineans'of the belt'104. Any standard reduction pulley may be used'for the pulley 100. V

Ihje bufferis -provided with a pair of support Wheels 166 adapted to engage the marginal portions of the upper side of slabs 22"and' 24. .The'butfe'r isa'lsoshppliedRvith two pairs of guide Wheels 108 whichare adapted 'to' engage the sides of the granite slabs 22"and 24. The guide wheels 108 are suspended from the frame 825$! 'g'iiide 'vv'li'el support manners 110. It 'isdesifabfe to make the guide wheel support members 110 pivotal with respect to the frame 82, so that the guide wheels may be pivoted out of the way and locked for entrance to and exit from the bowling alle'y.

In'zthe operation of the buffer an operator grasps the handle 96 and oscillates. the buffing disc 94 which pivots with the horizontal pivot member 86 about the pivot pin 8-8. The-'buffing disc 94 is construeted of any standard granite bufling abrasive and is adapted to be used on the granite slabs 22 and 24 prior to the installation of the acces sory bo wlin g equipment. v r

The joit between the approach end '20 and the first granite slab 22 is approximately brie-half inch in' width and 'is filled with pitch "or other suitable flexible compound. This permits this end of slab 22 to 'ex: pand. Slab 24 is completely unrestrained at "its end remote from the joint 26. Therefore, any'ariiouht'of expansion is possible fortl'iei'grani'te slab 24.

It will be apparent that 'byfpiovidin'g an outdoor bowling alleyconstruc'ted of abutting gra'tiiteslabs, this invention avoids the warping and buckling problems inherent'in outdoor bowling aile scoastracted or Also, the. surface may be finished much smootherarid maiht-ainedin this condition. Granite has a tehiperature Coeflicient of linear expansionist 316x lo 'fwhich 'is cdnside'r'ably lower than that of concrete'a'nd hence, mush greater stability is provided. Theceinent' sui'facealso tends 'to have an abrasive area on "the plastic balls whereas the buifed granite surface eliininat'estliisdifii culty.

The invention may bebmbbdid in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresentembodimenfis'therefore to beconsidered maures'pects asvillust'rative aud 'not' 'restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the 'for'g'oihgfd'sfiption, and all changes which come'withi'n' the meafii'ng'and the range'of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to beembraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An outdoor bowling alley construction comprising a horizontally disposed support n'imbena pair of granite 'slabs' placed on said horizontally disposed sap ortniem her, said granite slabs positionedin substantially abutting relationship to form a joint, and means adjacent said joint for attaching 'sa'id' gi'anife slabst'o said horizontally disposed support member. V v

2. outdoor bowling alley construction comprising a concrete foundation having a horiioiitallydispos'edsupport member, a pair of' gi'anite slabs placed o'n'fsaid horizontially disposed supPO i 'inemb'er} said granite slabs positioned in substantially abuttingrelationship to form' 'a joint, "and a plurality 'of rigid pins "extending through the underside ofeach of said granite slabsf adjaceht said joint and into said foundation to' anchor said slab in the central portion of said'horiz ontallydispbsed support'member.

3, Anoutdoor bowling alley construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein said joint consists ofa ftape'red 15ertion beginning at the top surface of ''achof said granite slabs and extending to said horizontally disposed support f'member. r 1

4. An outdoor bowling alley construction as"claiine in claim 1' wherein saidj'ciint compasses-first ta ered portion beginning at the top surfaceof said granite slabs and extending toward said horizontally disposedsupport member, a second tapered portion beginning at the bottom of said slabs and extending awayfrom ,said horizontally disposed support member, and a substantially'horizontal step portion between saidtapered; onions.

5; An outdoor bowling alleyconstruction -iasicl'aimed in claim 4 wherein said joint runner comprises-:a'rjshim placed on said substantially horizontal step portion to permit minor adjustments in elevation for said slabs.

6. An outdoor bowling alley comprising a concrete foundation having a horizontally disposed support member, a pair of granite slabs placed on said horizontally disposed support member, said granite slabs positioned in substantially abutting relationship to form a joint, means adjacent said joint for attaching said granite slabs to said horizontally disposed support member, and means to elevate and lower said granite slabs.

7. An outdoor bowling alley as described in claim 6 wherein said means to elevate and lower said slabs of granite includes a plurality of jacks embedded in said foundation beneath the marginal edges of said slabs of granite.

8. An outdoor bowling alley construction comprising a concrete foundation provided with a horizontally disposed support member, said foundation further comprising a plurality of wall-like legs extending downwardly into the earth and provided with a flanged portion completely encircling said foundation at the base of said legs, a pair of granite slabs on said horizontally disposed support member, said granite slabs positioned in substantially abutting relationship to form a joint, and means adjacent said joint for attaching said granite slabs to said horizontally disposed support member.

9. An outdoor bowling alley comprising a concrete foundation having a horizontally disposed support member, a pair of granite slabs placed on said horizontally disposed support member, said granite slabs positioned in substantially abutting relationship to form a joint, a rigid metal plate placed on said horizontally disposed support member beneath said granite slabs in the region of said joint, and a plurality of rigid pins extending through the underside of each of said granite slabs adjacent said joint and extending through said metal plate and into said foundation to anchor said slabs in the central portion of said horizontally disposed support member.

10. An outdoor bowling alley comprising a concrete foundation having a horizontally disposed support member, a first granite slab placed at one end of said horizontally disposed support member providing an approach for said alley, a second granite slab positioned on said horizontally disposed support member and spaced longitudinally from said first granite slab to allow for expansion, a third granite slab placed on said horizontally disposed support member and positioned in substantially abutting relationship with said second granite slab to form a joint, and means adjacent the joint between said second and third granite slabs for attaching said granite slabs to said horizontally disposed support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,141,708 Elmendorf Dec. 27, 1938 2,475,046 Pedersen July 5, 1949 2,531,168 Snyder Nov. 21, 1950 2,603,919 Robinson July 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 473,391 Germany June 14, 19 27 

